Adding Luxury to any Home with LVT & Floor Heating

Hello and welcome to today's webinar entitled "Adding Luxury to Any Home with LVT and Floor Heating." My name is Scott, and I am from WarmlyYours. Thank you so much for joining us today. As we go along, if you have any questions, feel free to ask them at any time by hitting the "Ask a Question" button at the bottom of your screen. We will be glad to go through the presentation with you and answer any questions that come up along the way.

In our webinar, we will be discussing floor heating, providing a project example with the flex roll, and discussing the installation process. We will also cover a project example with the cable and its installation process. A common question we receive is, "Why LVT?" The reason LVT, or luxury vinyl tile, is such a popular choice right now is that it is very cost-effective. It allows you to achieve the look of other materials available in the marketplace without incurring the higher costs associated with those products. Additionally, LVT is incredibly durable; it is scuff, stain, and scratch-resistant and can last for 20 to 25 years, making it a more sustainable flooring option. Often, you may tire of the look before the flooring fails or becomes unusable, which speaks to its excellent lifespan.

When considering heat options for LVT, we have two specific types of products designed to heat floors. It is important to note that LVT should be installed over an embedded heating system, such as TempZone. You will find this recommendation in the installation manual, which specifies using the product with embedded heat. While this may seem counterintuitive, it is crucial to understand that embedded heating is designed for tile-type installations. The flexibility of the cable and flex roll allows you to adjust the amount of watts per square foot used to heat the product based on the specific conditions of your installation. For example, if you are on a third floor directly above another heated room, your floor may start at 78 or 70 degrees, so you won't need as many watts per square foot. Conversely, if you are on the ground floor over an unheated crawl space, you will require more watts per square foot.

It is also essential to note that LVT cannot be paired with our EnvirOn flooring heating system, which is designed for floating applications. Although LVT is a floating product, it is not as resilient as laminate or engineered wood, which are better suited for the EnvirOn system. This distinction is crucial when considering the installation process, as we will explore further in the following sections.

Different situations require different modes of protection to provide heat effectively. For instance, if you are on the third floor over a wooden subfloor, you may not need to worry about heat loss below the heating system. However, when installing over concrete, heat loss becomes a significant concern. Concrete subfloors tend to pull heat down, which can hinder the effectiveness of electric heating wire placed directly on a concrete slab. Historically, floors were heated using hot water systems, which heated a large thermal mass, typically a thick concrete slab. However, in the electric heating industry, we have discovered that regulating temperature more accurately and achieving quicker heat-up times can be accomplished by heating a thinner layer above the concrete slab.

To illustrate this, let’s examine the cross-section of a typical installation. The concrete subfloor is at the bottom, followed by a thinset layer used to secure the Cerazorb insulation. The thinset is applied over the concrete, and the Cerazorb is laid on top, which is then followed by the heating wire. This setup ensures that heat rises rather than being absorbed into the concrete slab, where it would be ineffective. Once the heating wires are in place, they can be covered with self-leveling cement, which provides a flat surface suitable for LVT or other flooring materials.

When working with a wood subfloor, the installation process differs slightly. In this case, we can use fixing strips and cable to string the heating cable back and forth across the floor. Since we are dealing with a wood subfloor, we can eliminate the thinset and Cerazorb layers, as they are not required. However, if the wooden subfloor is over an unheated space, using Cerazorb for added insulation is advisable to ensure optimal heat distribution.

It is crucial to ensure that the TempZone cable or mesh product is securely adhered to the subfloor. Self-leveling cement is dense and can cause the heating elements to float if not properly secured. To prevent this, we recommend using hot glue to attach the mats to the Cerazorb and masking tape to hold the cables down. This will ensure that the heating elements remain in place when the self-leveling is poured over them.

As we delve deeper into the installation process, we must emphasize the importance of testing the heating product before installation. It is vital to test the product upon receipt to ensure it is functioning correctly. A digital ohm meter is necessary for this task, and it is advisable to use one that is not self-ranging. This allows for accurate readings of the heating wire and floor sensor. Additionally, a circuit check device is essential for monitoring the integrity of the heating circuit during installation.

Now, let’s discuss the specifics of installing the TempZone flex roll with LVT on a concrete subfloor. Before proceeding, it is crucial to check the LVT to ensure it is suitable for use with heat. If the floor is not level, self-leveling cement should be applied first to create a flat surface. Cleaning the subfloor is also essential to ensure proper adhesion of the materials.

Once the Cerazorb is dry-fitted and the thinset has been applied, the flex roll can be laid out according to the installation plan. It is important to install the roll with the cable side down to prevent the loops from floating to the top during the self-leveling process. The thermostat sensor should also be installed at this stage, ensuring it is placed away from direct sunlight to avoid inaccurate temperature readings.

When it comes to self-leveling installation, having multiple people on hand is beneficial. This ensures that the self-leveling material is poured and smoothed out efficiently while maintaining a continuous workflow. It is important to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines regarding the thickness of the self-leveling layer to ensure optimal heat distribution.

After the self-leveling has been installed and cured, the LVT can be laid down. It is crucial to follow the acclimation rules provided by the LVT manufacturer, as premature heating can lead to issues in the future. Once the installation is complete, the finished product should provide a beautiful, warm floor that feels solid underfoot.

In conclusion, the project cost for the TempZone roll installation, including the Inspire Touch thermostat and other necessary components, was $2,267. While the initial investment may seem high, the benefits of using Cerazorb to enhance the warmth of the floor justify the expense. The ability to change the flooring in the future without disturbing the heating system further adds to the value of this installation.

Thank you for joining us today. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing you in our next webinar. Stay warm and be radiant!